If your skin tends to be touchy, read on for the results of the Free From Skincare Awards 2020. While most people know about food sensitivities and allergies, the cosmetic issue has always been much less widely recognized so access to support and information is limited.

The Free From Skincare Awards, which started in 2012, have been pioneering in focusing attention – of the beauty industry and sufferers, and actually of health professionals too – on the range of concerns. Organiser Alex Gazzola explains that the concept stemmed from consumers’ difficulties trying to decipher labels (which we know well), find out what ingredients the products contained, and how likely they were to trigger a reaction.

The products are put through rigorous trials with a panel of testers, according to a protocol that Beauty Bible helped draw up. Then a panel of industry judges (including Sarah) gather to examine the products, read the questionnaires and discuss the results. It’s a thorough process and the discussion can get pretty vigorous.

As Alex Gazzola also points out, ‘the issues aren’t just about allergy or sensitivity. Some people choose to avoid certain ingredients for ethical, religious or environmental reasons or simply personal preference.’

So, here now are the Gold Award winners for Face and Family Skincare, plus the annual Achievement Award and – the cherry on the Free From cake – the coveted Overall Best Free From Product Award 2020. The quotes are from the testers and there are links so you can order online if you wish. In Part 2 tomorrow, you can discover the top Body Care, Hair Care and Men’s Grooming products. 

Face Care (Leave On)

Antipodes Baptise H2O Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel/£25.58 for 30 ml

"Unusual texture ... I liked the fresh feel and the rose fragrance was lovely, uplifting and made it a treat to use ... My dehydrated skin just seemed to drink in the product ... Skin feels plumped after a month ... Antipodes feels to me like a brand I can trust”.

Uoga Uoga, Intensive Care Day Cream for Dry and Normal Skin/£21.20 for 30 ml

"I loved the texture of this cream — rich, thick, not sticky — it felt like a meal for the skin ... geranium and orange fragrance was the smell of joy ... My skin drank it up, leaving it plump ... really was ideal as a make-up base ... my dry, sensitive skin was all nourished and happy".

“Straight away my face felt extremely hydrated and calmed, seemed to plump my skin and provide instant radiance ... I loved the fact the manufacturer didn’t over-promise by suggesting it would reduce wrinkles or make me look 10 years younger – it makes tired skin look radiant and hydrated, and I’m more than happy with that … it’s a truly great little pot of moisturising goodness”.

Face Care (Rinse Off)

ANNWYN Botanicals Exfoliating Cleanser with Papaya, Soft Citrus & Herb/£14 for 120g

"Fresh, earthy fragrance ... felt pleasant on the skin ... Rinsed off easily ... Good texture, 'stuck' to the skin well and smoothed on easily ... Skin felt nourished and cleansed, soft and moisturised after — I needed less moisturiser ... Exfoliating component was perfect, not scratchy, fine to get into pores and crevices ... Skin very clean at the end of the month ... Pores more refined ... Lasts and lasts ... This was great”.

Face Oils 

Botanica Nordica Glow Face Oil

"Have used this day and night all over my face, neck and eye area and it has helped enormously with hydration ... make-up sits on it beautifully ... my skin is much softer and it has helped reduce redness ... A bit of a slow-burner, as you continue to use it, the improvements increase ... the fact that it has taken some time to see effects gives me more confidence in its efficacy long term ... an understated product that packs a punch ... my skin is looking good, healthy and I'm pleased".

Lip Care

Dr.Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Dry Skin, Luscious Lips & Glossy Bits/£12 for 15 ml

"I loved the texture; it felt warm and cosy like a hug to the lips ... Lips looked totally natural, as if I had just licked them; if I applied more it looked like lip gloss which was wonderful ... After a month, lips are soft and plump ... There is no comparison with other brands I have tried ... This is for the whole family and is the best cream I have tried, used or imagined using ... I am amazed considering how much I used it how much is left ... You can't change perfect".

Eye Care

Antipodes Kiwi Seed Gold Luminous Eye Cream/£45.99 for 30 ml

"Was worried it was too thick but once applied it feels lighter ... I've been on eternal quest to find an eye cream which does not creep into my eyes and irritate them and I think I have found it in this product ... the consistency is 'just right' ... Really impressed with it after a month: eye area feels more hydrated and fine lines less visible ... I often hesitate to give a [score of] 10 but when you find a product like this which you love, it has to be done”.

Problem Skin

Amaranthine Facial Oil/£27.95 for 27g

Texture perfect — not so thick that it required a lot of massaging, not so runny that it made a mess ... Absorbed very well on my dry skin without vanishing completely, which is what I want ... very moisturising when my skin was going through an unhappy phase ... instant soothing effect on areas of inflamed and irritated skin, which was impressive ... Redness and irritation on my cheeks reduced by about 80% over the month ... I was blown away ... Was sceptical about redness claims but it really worked".

Family Skincare

skin:genius Best Cleanse Forever Cleansing Face Wash/£16.50 for 100 ml

"Surpassed expectations in so many ways ... Difference in the condition and feel of the skin was evident in a short space of time ... Condition improved so much over the month, really noticeably ... Such an easy product to add into a routine, smells gorgeous, feels silky ... By using twice daily, oily T-zone was controlled and balanced well, skin felt clean and nourished, spots were reduced and easily kept at bay ... What an amazing product”.

Fresh & Fragrant

Holos Skincare Super Natural Activity Pre & Probiotic Spritz/33 euros for 150 ml

"Absolutely lovelyand so refreshing; from the first use the skin felt refreshed and the scent was invigorating ... Balanced my skin perfectly and left it feeling healthy ... Over the month my skin improved in appearance; it looked brighter and more evenly toned ... I didn't need to use as much of my other products as my skin was in better condition ... Has genuinely made a positive difference to my skin and it's firmly in my routine from now on”.

Free From Achievement Award

Antipodes Kiwi Seed Gold Luminous Eye Cream/£45.99 for 30 ml

Best Free From Skincare Product Award

Uoga Uoga, Intensive Care Day Cream for Dry and Normal Skin/£21.20 for 30 ml

For more about the Awards, visit freefromskincareawards.co.uk

Prize Draws